When was JESUS Actually Born ? ....................

A Special Christmas Lesson for: YOU my friend....
"When Was Jesus Actually Born?"

Today we will leave our study of the Book of Judges this week,
to study the Scriptures as a Scholar of God's Word would, to find
our answer to the above question. So put on your thinking caps,
and read this very carefully as we do a little detective work in the
Book of LUKE to uncover the answer to this question, "When was
Jesus really born?"

First of all, LUKE in Hebrew means "light giver," and he will light
our path to find the truth regarding this study of the Scriptures!
For our Fathers' Word tells us all things, even if we must search a
little to find the answers!

Now it is important to establish the year of HIS birth first, and
we are given a major clue in Chapter Two where it states:

Luke, Chapter 2

2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from
Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
( Luke 2:1-4 )

The Historian Zumpt fixes Quirinus' reign as the First
Governor as being from 4 BC until 1 BC. Also according
to Clement of Alexandria, Jesus was born when the first
census was taken in the reign of Augustus. Now it is also
recorded that a census was taken every 14 Years. Thus
4 BC; 10 AD; 24 AD etc. Thus this places Jesus' birth in the
year 4 BC. Now, none of the other studies I have ever
seen even mention the census, or take it into consideration.
Thus am important piece of the puzzle is totally missing in
their studies, and they come up with the wrong year based
on the lack of this important information.

Also of note, is the fact that writings have been found from
ancient Korean and Chinese astronomers of an event in 4 B C
which they described as a comet with no tail that did not
move during 4 B C. This fits with the Star of Bethleham
mentioned in the Scriptures, that guidied the Wise Men.


Since we have established the year of HIS birth, let us now turn
back the calendar one year to determine the true date of HIS birth.
We need to do that for we may trace it through the birth of John
the Baptist. So we will now take our search back to LUKE,
Chapter, One.
LUKE 1
1:1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of
those things which have been fulfilled among us,

Luke makes it clear that he was not the first to write about
this narrative of Jesus Christ.

2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and
ministers of the word delivered them to us,

The sources of these narratives were indeed eyewitnesses
who delivered their testimonies to the Church. Therefore
these verses tell us that Luke was not an eyewitness, but
has access to the statements of those who were.

3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all
things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most
excellent Theophilus,

Luke investigated his topic with much care, it was always
thoroughly done as well. One must remember that Luke was
a Physician before he became a disciple. Thus he was one of
the best educated disciples of Christ at the time.

Theophilus means "Beloved of God!" Thus I believe this
was written to You my friend!

4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were
instructed.

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest
named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters
of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

Zacharias means "Remembered of YA"
There were eight courses, each done at a special time each year.
The order of [Abijah] is the eighth of the priestly courses of
ministration in the Temple, (see 1 CHRONICLES 24:10) and
occurred, as others, twice a year. The Priest's were separated
into 24 divisions, and these courses changed weekly, beginning
with the Sabbath. This course would have been held June 13-19
in the year 5 BC.

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the
commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

"Righteous Before God" This means that Zacharias &
Elizabeth his wife walked faithfully with God and kept His
law. ( see Deuteronomy 6:24-25 )

7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were
both well advanced in years.

Now being barren was a grave disappointment in ancient
Israel. ( see 1 SAM 1 )

8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order
of his division,

Remember that he was on duty June 13 through 19 in the
year 5 BC.

9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense
when he went into the temple of the Lord.

Zacharias served for one week twice a year at the Temple. He
was one of as many as 18,000 priests who served each year.
Now offering the incense was something a Priest could do only
once in his career. Therefore this was a great moment for
Zecharias indeed!

10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the
hour of incense.

The Hour Of Incense came twice a day, at 9 AM and 3:30 PM.
Large numbers of people gathered at the Temple, for they believed
that their prayers went up to God with the incense smoke.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side
of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon
him.

To be afraid in the presence of God or an angle is common
in the Scriptures. What an awesome experience it must
have been for Zacharias

13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your
prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you
shall call his name John.

Now when God names a child, greatness usually follows!
John means "Yahweh's gift or favor" This child would
later be known as "John the Baptist."

14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither
wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even
from his mother's womb.

Just as Samuel and Sampson, a vow was imposed on the
child that indicated his special consecration to the Lord.
However, it is not clear whether this vow was a Nazirite
vow, since there is no mention of cutting his hair.
( see NUMBERS 6:1-4 & JUDGES 13:5, 7 )

16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

John's mission was to prepare Israel for the Messiah.

17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn
the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the
wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

John's ministry paralleled Elijah's, for both prophets
called Israel to repentance. ( see 1 KINGS 17; 18 )

18 And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am
an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."

The doubt cast by Zecharias angered God for as you know
he was a Priest and knew God's Word. Therefore for he
should have recognized that this event was the fulfilling of a
prophecy that was written in DANIEL 9:21-25! Therefore
God punished him for his doubt and lack of faith.

19 And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands
in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you
these glad tidings.

20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day
these things take place, because you did not believe my words which
will be fulfilled in their own time."

Zacharias was not only unable to speak, but it appears
that he was unable to hear as well. ( see verses 1:62-63 )
However when John was born Zacharias was able to brake
his silence and was filled with joy, praising God!
( see Zacharias song in verses1:68-79 )

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered
so long in the temple.

22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they
perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to
them and remained speechless.

23 And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed,
that he departed to his own house.

Now, Zacharias' house was located over 30 miles from
the Temple, in the hill country south of Jerusalem.
Remember he would have to walk home, and that
would take a man his age two or three days.
Now his service ended on the Sabbath, and he could
not travel that day. So that would mean that the conception
of John would take place on the 23rd or 24th of June.

24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid
herself five months, saying,

The date of the conception plus 5 months would take
us to Nov 24th Thus John was 6 months older than Christ.
So June 24th, plus 5 months would bring us to November 24.

25 "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on
me, to take away my reproach among people."

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city
of Galilee named Nazareth,

Here we add another month and we arrive at Dec 25th.

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house
of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

28 And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored
one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"

29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and
considered what manner of greeting this was.

She was not doubting but troubled.

30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have
found favor with God.

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son,
and shall call His name JESUS.

Jesus means "Yahweh's savior"

So again, this being the sixth month would bring
us to December 25th, 5 B. C.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the
Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom
there will be no end."

34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know
a man?"

35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore,
also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her
old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.

As we have already learned this would be on Dec 25th.
Again this would be the day of conception of Jesus Christ.
NOTE: Mary was half Levite see Luke 3:23, and one half Juda.
This is because Mary's mother was a Leivite, and her father
was from the Tribe of Juda. Now that means that Christ
born of a woman who was 1/2 [Levite] or priest line, and 1/2
half from the King line [Juda.] Thus the "Priest King!" Now
is that not Jesus?

Now all of this points to Jesus being conceived on or
about December 25th, not born on that day! His
true birthday would be approximately 9 months
later, or September 29th, in the year 4 B. C.
Why the 29th? Note: the verse John 1:14 which
in English states:
"And The Word Became Flesh And Dwelt Among Us."

It actually reads in the original Greek, " The Word Became
Flesh And Tabernacled Among Us." Thus His Birthday fell
on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Then,
He would have then been circumcised 8 days later
on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles!

In closing, here is some more backup on the
Nativity not being in December!

(1) It would have been nearly impossible for Mary
under the circumstances, to have traveled the
70 miles, through the hills in the depth of winter!

(2) Shepherds and their flocks would not be found
"abiding" in the fields at night in December, because
there would be no pasture to graze at that time of year!

(3) The Roman's imposing the "hated and unpopular"
census taking to collect a foreign tax, would have not
picked the most inconvenient and inclement time of year
for this process. They would have picked a line of
least resistance instead, and held the event in the autumn,
when the harvest was done, and the people were
traveling to Jerusalem anyway for the Feast of Tabernacles!

Therefore all of this means that Jesus was conceived on or
December 25th, not born on that day! His true birthday
would be approximately 9 months later, or September 29th,
in the year 4 B. C.

Now it is perfectly correct to Celebrate December 25th
because we are honoring the date of Jesus' Conception,
and the day that God began to dwell with mankind, as
witnessed by John in his mother's womb! Therefore never,
ever, call or think of Christmas as a heathen or pagan
holiday. For on this day we are honoring the day of the
"Immaculate Conception." A High Holy Day Indeed!

Now , I hope that you have enjoyed this deeper study in
God's Word.

May you have a Very Merry Christmas, and a Wonderful
New Year!